The noose around Fortress Maximus' neck tightens. Will the Decepticon 2nd fleet led by mighty Scorponok finally subjugate their old nemesis? And if they do, what will be the fate of the Autobot resistance?

Scorponok's reply to Cyclonus' question was both straightforward and effective. He expected nothing less. It was important to assure that if a weapon like this existed somewhere in the universe that they would seek to claim it. He got that reassurance in spades, as no one in the room appeared to have any hesitation about acquiring a powerful ally as this gestaltic creation would surely prove to be.

Scorponok's answers to the others' questions were equally reassuring, leaving Cyclonus with no doubt as to what their next step would be. The only uncertainty lay in when they would take it.

Cyclonus cast an askew glance in Deadlock's direction at his request that he and Scourge accompany him to witness whatever additional interrogation techniques he had in mind. If Cyclonus already had little patience for Turmoil, he had even less for one of his little gruntmechs. Cyclonus had no interest in wasting his time in such a manner. He simply wanted results. He could honestly care less how those results were procured. Scorponok, for his part, appeared to be on a similar wavelength, requesting to see the highest ranking prisoners currently in their possession. Black Shadow was only too eager to accommodate the High Commander and begin leading their procession toward the holding cells.

"This should prove most interesting," Cyclonus remarked to Scourge as he followed the others out of the command center. "We will soon be rid of these downtrodden Autobots and these passive fleshlings and on to greater conquests."___

Interrogation Chamber

Lightspeed did his best to do anything to process the pain that was coming in and think about it in ways that would help him to overcome what was happening. But he had not gone through rigorous interrogation training--ever. He had read the datacubes and holofiles pertaining to the subject and attended a field seminar or two on the subject, since it did happen, but he had never really expected to deal with it firsthand. The Technobots, as a unit, were hardly ever sent in to battlefield theaters. There was more important, non-combat related work for their group to accomplish more often than not.

Not this time.

Lightspeed had cried out in agony more than once already as his sensory receptors overloaded. But his interrogator appeared conflicted with what she was doing. Lightspeed did not consider himself to be an expert in body language, by any means, but it looked like there was some doubt or other reservations on her youthfully striking metallic features. Lightspeed thought about the question she had asked and debated a little in his mind about whether it really rose to the level of highly classified information. He wasn't authorized to give it out, by any means, but who cared who sent them? Who would care if he told? It certainly wasn't information that was worth the lives of him or his teammates.

"We were....sent here by...Fortress...Maximus," Lightspeed began, struggling through the words as his internal sensor array worked to recalibrate itself. "The research team here went too long without checking in. We...were told to find out why. That simple."

"Thank you for sparing me." She whispered and pretended to look around to make sure no one had noticed what she said. She used that opportunity to peak over her shoulder at the other Technobot's reaction.

Fortress Maximus... it made a lot of sense and she did not believe Lightspeed was capable of lying to her at the moment. Scorponok would be very interested in this, wherever he was. He opened a private communication channel to Reflector.

"The Subject has identified Fortress Maximus as the Autobot who commanded them to come here. They came here to check on a research team. I feel like I need a long shower but at least we got some information."

She opened another communication channel to Cyclonus.

"Sir, the Technobot known as Lightspeed has identified Fortress Maximus as the Autobot who ordered them here in order to check on the status of a research time. I will begin seeking out answers to your other question."

She moved her hands in a almost loving manner to the sides of Lightspeed's head.

"Here... let me help you with the pain."

She said in a whisper and accessed the systems that connected Lightspeed's head to the rest of the body. She lowered the pain that Lightspeed was receiving from his body to give him relief. As she did, she also lowered the amount of energy going into his brain module to a level where it would be active but remain in his current confused and sluggish state. She also deactivated his audio systems. Now that he was talking the last thing he needed was to listen to the other Technobots. She hacked into his port and sent her words directly into him although she still talked to create the illusions that the conversation was still normal.

"I just have one more question for you Lightspeed. I need you to be a hero once again. Your fellow Autobots are still out there are being hunted by the likes of the Horrorcons." She had a sad expression on her face and shook her head at the thought of that. "Please, tell us who came with you to this world. If you do so then our Seekers can pick them up without having to hurt them. You can save lives."

Black Shadow, and more importantly Blue Bacchus, remained relatively silent during their trek through the corridors of the Decepticon’s fortress…the small band making considerable headway down toward the holding cells.

As the troupe moved Blue Bacchus whispered to his partner. "You don’t suppose that once Lord Scorponok is through with whoever he’s interested in he’ll toss ‘em back our way?"

Black Shadow let out a low chuckle before sending his friend his own whispered response. "I don’t see why he wouldn’t. But if you’re that hell bent on knowing, then by all means ask away."

Blue sent the flier a nervous look before he took one quick glance over his shoulder at the massive Decepticon Commander. His nervous expression quickly morphed into a frightened stare before he turned his attention back to his colleague. "I believe it’d be prudent if I simply kept my vocalizer muted."

"Now that is possibly your best idea yet, my dear Blue." Black Shadow flashed the other mech a wicked smirk only to have Blue cast a searing glare in his direction.

A few breems passed before the doors to the prisoner cell blocks appeared in front of the small gathering of mechs. The doors quietly slid aside leaving the space beyond available for access. Black Shadow and his associate passed through the portal and made their way to the cell block entrance where each side was lined with individual…rather accommodating, incarceration rooms.

The Infiltration Unit Commander stopped just before the block’s entrance and turned to face Scorponok and the other attendees…a broad devious grin spread across his face.

“My Lord. There a number of Autobots held within these cells. You mentioned you were interested in meeting with the highest ranking individuals…however…" Black Shadow offered a slight bow before he turned on his heel and led the group further into the brig. He did not stop at any one particular cell, instead opting to guide the Commander to one of the interrogation chambers.

"…I thought, Lord Scorponok, that I’d introduce you to one of our resident high ranking Autobot team members."

Within mere moments and with a grand flourish Black Shadow passed through the threshold of the chamber only stopping when he was several feet before Soul Siren and her prisoner.

“My Lord…May I present our dear, dear interrogator, Soul Siren and her very lucky “guest”…the Technobot, Lightspeed." The black and crimson ‘Con tilted his head slightly, “Come now, Autobot…wave hello." After an astrosecond Black Shadow sent the Technobot a deep frown. “Well…now that’s not very personable…tied down or not, the least you can do is say “good day”."

Pointblank let out a half-hearted chuckle at Brainstorm's initial response. There was no good way to lay out the situation their faction was in on this planet, but hearing it laid out like that pretty much solidified the sorry state of affairs they were in the midst of.

"...heh, yeah, I'd say that about sums it up," Pointblank began before reflecting on the rest of Brainstorm's thoughts. He thought about it for a second but, truthfully, he had already given the matter a fair deal of thought. Sure they could sit here and try to concoct some random escape attempt and be all noble Autobots and all that, and if the circumstances were different he probably would have jumped in and tried to contribute to such a plan if it were being hatched up. But this? No. Brainstorm had pretty much confirmed the conclusion that Pointblank had come to as well, even if he hadn't been willing to verbalize it up to this point. If they were going to make some kind of break for it, they would have to wait for a better opportunity. There were just too many obstacles stacked against them right now.

"No argument here, on either point," Pointblank said in response to Brainstorm's statements both in regards to their plan of action--or lack thereof right now--as well as Perceptor's perceived inability to act. Not that Pointblank doubted the scientist's ability to improve...but...he didn't really know the mech all that well. And what he did now of him didn't seem like it would handle being in this kind of situation.

"He's obviously a top-notch scientist, and I hear he's a pretty good shot, too. But neither of those skills would do him much good right now. He'd be just as screwed as the rest of us are."___

The Horrorcon's taunting had done little to provoke Rad. He was in too much pain to be thinking about the moral dilemma that either the Autobots or the Decepticons were caught up in after having waged a war against each other for this long. His personality didn't lend itself to being provoked much anyway. He had been paying attention to the chattings of the other Autobots though, and he couldn't help but chime in, good-naturedly, even if the circumstances didn't lend themselves to such.

"Screwed, screwed, screwed," Rad chuckled, pushing himself up against the back of his cell as he looked over at Pyro.

"What do you think our next should be now, chief?" Rad asked, tinkering with an open panel on his right arm as the doors to the holding cell areas slid open. It wasn't just Seeker guards or Vehicon drones coming to pay them all a visit this time, it looked like they had garnered the attention of all the big-wig mechs currently stationed on this planet. Just their lucky slaggin' day.

Pyro shifted his weight on the slab he had been unceremoniously deposited. His optics were still dimmed due to power drain and damage he had sustained in the unorganized chaos that was that assault on the Insecticon Depot. Still in his direct smoldering gaze locked onto Apeface with a heated stare of energon daggers through the Horrorcon's spark case. "I believe in the ideals of Optimus Prime. Though admittedly that had not always been so. But because of the senseless slaughter that you and your brainwashed cultists are content to expouse and employ, I am forced to expand my own horizons. The only drone here is the one who is lead with blinders and of course kept down wind of the majority who have functional olfactory sensors. Of course I must ammend my initial claims about being totally programmed with the innate sense of being lead off a cliff, or brainwashed for such a simple term. For one has to have functional processors and data banks in order to have them to be reprogrammed."

With that Pyro bid the Horrorcon his dismisal before looking over at his compatriots. He ignored the presense of the hulking behemoth, knowing full well if it dared to assail them within the cell, even the Autobots in their current state could overwhelm and incompasitate the horrifically under washed primate. "If there is any blame to be had, my fellow Autobots, it should fall to me. There are no excuses, however legitimate they may be."

The Autobot Ranger finally swung his damaged body over the edge of the slab and looked on the cells containing Rad, Pointblank and Brainstorm. "I had hoped that such a strike could have been both beneficial in terms of fuel and a warning beacon to an organized Autobot resistance." He shook his head briefly before returning to optic lock. "I had no idea that there was no such organizational hierarchy."

"As of now, our only commanding officer is Scattershot. Unfortunately regardless of where he and his command staff landed, I am confident they were captured as well. Just by judging the over all response of the Decepticons."

He pushed himself to his feet and did his best to stabilize himself from wobbling over. "Our next move should be self evident."

"We are acquainted." Scorponok stated coldly in response to Black Shadow's introduction of Soul Siren and her subject of attention. Normally he wouldn't have minded the way Black Shadow behaved before this prisoner but this was not a time to play games. Scorponok knew he was short on time to exploit the opening the capture of Farstar's crew had presented. He wanted results and he wanted them now.

Moving towards the interrogator and the practically drugged Autobot, Scorponok pushed Black Shadow aside with the side of his claw and crouched down closer to Soul Siren's level. Even in this position the enormous Decepticon was taller than any of his lieutenants present. And the size difference between him and the lithe interrogator? It was nearly comical.

"Confirm the following hypothesis Soul Siren. Lightspeed and the other Technobots were send by Fortress Maximus to investigate why their Nebulos outpost went silent." Scorponok questioned and followed his question by presenting additional one before he gave Soul Siren a chance to respond, "And does Lightspeed's function as a data processor give him access to limited level Autobot command codes?"

"Oh bravo fanboy. You cannot deny my claims nor hurt me physically. Hah, you can't even hold the moral high ground through abstaining from insults. I truly love this Autobot hypocrisy." Apeface chuckled as Pyro turned away from him, utilizing the ages old technique of getting rid of something through ignoring it.

Apparently these Autobots believed he wouldn't bother going physical with them. A dangerous misconception. The Autobots were all battered and subjected to number of various injuries from cracked headlights to missing limbs. Most importantly for Apeface's advantage though, they were drained so low on energon that they'd have had hard time defeating a Vehicon, yet alone a Horrorcon worth of dozens of Vehicons. Pyro was really the only one in the cell who had the power and skill to stand against Apeface would he choose to assault the Autobots. And even that scenario included Pyro being in perfect operational condition. The rest of the Autobots within the cell? They were nothing but appetizers to the likes of the Horrorcons.

Apeface however, had no plans of getting into the cell to beat the beaten. Not that he idea hadn't crossed his mind. The potential of these Autobots holding critical information was high. Pummeling them to brink of death would do little reveal any of their secrets. Sure, brute force as interrogation method was often efficient enough and while no interrogator - Apeface knew how to get answers from those susceptible towards such methods. And none of the Autobots had the signs of a pushover in them. Heck, give them an opportunity and a bomb-belt and all four would likely volunteer for a suicide job. No, he'd just have some laughs on their expense while letting the professional interrogators to crack them. And thus, the Horrorcon shrugged and took his leave...

...Only to return couple of kliks later with a barrel hoisted on his shoulder. The Autobots though, were still playing the game of ignore Apeface. Which made it all so much easier to open the cell, toss the barrel in and activate the cell's force field again. Not that the energon drained Autobots would have been even able to rush out of the cell during the short while it was open.

"A little gift to you from yours truly." Apeface stated and assumed his primate form again. "A barrel full of dirty, special grade lubricant with extremely high temperature resistance and with just perfect mix of mining dust. Could be toxic too, not too sure but eh, who cares. Oh yeah, added a pressure charge too for good measure. I mean, how else to achieve a proper spread?"

"Oh and the timer inside the barrel is ticking. I believe there should be about... 3 second to detonation. Anytime no-"

Before Apeface finished whatever he was going to say, the barrel in the middle of the holding cell exploded, spraying the disgusting, dirty lubricant all over the cell and its occupants. Given how the Horrorcon had chose just right tools for his trick, no fires were set either.

"I think the number of mechs to be kept down wind of functional olfactory sensors just grew exponentially, don't you think?"

Soul Siren's latest transmission was a highly intriguing one. Reflector found it to be anyway. There had been definite questions regarding the origin of the Farstar and its crew. The surveillance specialist was pleased to hear that it was indeed Fortress Maximus at the end of that particular tether. The likelihood that Scorponok would have the opportunity to put that sizable Autobot nuisance out of commission forever had increased steadily.

>>"I thought you might. Your interactions with that Technobot were beginning to border on something they would have broadcast on the holos back during the Golden Age. Not that I am one to question, as it seems to have produced results. Cyclonus should be pleased."<<

All of them, in fact, should be pleased. Scorponok most of all, if the intelligence proved to be true. He just hoped that he would not be stationed aboard the Perdition indefinitely. He was exceedingly curious to learn what Scorponok had been up to during his time away from Nebulos.___

Interrogation Chamber

Just that simply, the callous interrogator seemed to soften. Lightspeed used the opportunity to let out a small sigh of relief. If that was the information the Decepticons wanted and it would spare his teammates going through the same suffering that he had, or worse, then it was worth it. Lightspeed did not feel as if he had compromised any critical information.

Lightspeed could physically feel the pain that he had been experiencing earlier begin to steadily decrease. What was odd was that other sensory sensations seemed to be decreasing as well. Before long, Soul Siren's words were the only ones that he could hear, even as he saw other Decepticons--larger and even more powerful Decepticons--enter the prison area. He looked to them briefly, as one of them seemed to be indicating him specifically to the hulking form of Scorponok, but his attention was quickly brought back to Soul Siren herself.

Lightspeed paused to consider her question. Again, what she was asking for did not seem to be overly critical information. Even so, he was less inclined to give it up than he had been with the information of who had sent them here in the first place. After all, if they knew who all had been crewing the Farstar, it would be that much easier to check them off as they hunted them down.

And yet, how much longer would be it until the Decepticons did that anyway? Would it really matter if he gave them a duty roster for the Farstar? Besides, he felt so relaxed and at peace right now. What was the worst that could happen, really?

"Here," Lightspeed said, bringing up an internal file and slicing through the basic encryptions that would allow Soul Siren to access it while she was patched in to him. "Full duty roster. Not that it will do you much good. It looks like you've got most of us already."

It has always been to Soul Siren's great frustration that she was so weak. That frustration, however, would sometimes be good for the health of other Decepticons. Such was the case at this moment. Had she the power, she would have ripped off the heads of Black Shadow and Blue Bacchus for daring to interrupt her during such a sensitive moment of her interrogation. The mention of the name "Scorponok" however stopped her cold and the sheer anger she felt at the interruption was replaced with great joy at hearing his words. When Scorponok was around she felt safe and appreciated. As he got close to her, however, she also felt embarrassed. Here she was covered in Autobot fluids, hardly presentable to her commander. No matter what she felt, however, she was always a professional so her exterior never betrayed her internal emotions.

She smiled when Lightspeed gave her the document she sought. Obtaining information from Autobots was always satisfying but never quiet so when Scorponok was here to witness it. She ran a check on the document to make sure there was no trickery on it and opened her private channel to the Reflector trio. "I am uploading to you a document obtained from the Autobot which contains their full duty roster."

She made her answer brief as she had to speak to her commander. In any case, she trusted the Reflector trio to know what to do with that information. She opened a private communication channel to Scorponok."Your first inquiry has already been confirmed. The subject mentioned earlier that Fortress Maximus sent them to investigate a research team that they had lost contact with. Also, I have sent the list of the Autobots that where sent to this planet to Reflector. I will obtain the other information you seek now. My apologies for this display."

She knew that Lightspeed could not hear that Scorponok said so she put on a look on concern on her face as she spoke to him again.

"Thank you very much Lightspeed. Commander Scorponok wants you to turn over the Autobot Command Codes you possess. Please... it's really important."

She accented her words with a tone of fear to make Lightspeed think that her own life depended on this. As she spoke, however, she continued her manipulations of his systems, preparing for the possibility of an unsatisfactory answer.

Surely, Primus, it was going to be over now and he could rejoin his team and begin to strategize regarding what information he had provided to the Decepticons and how to best nullify any strategic advantage they could even conceivably draw from it. Lightspeed did not see any--or much--but that did not mean it did not exist.

Only the reality hit him that it wasn't over. That pain stung a little deeper than anything that Soul Siren had done. He felt so numbed, so good, and yet he was not so out of it that he could not see the fact that the Decepticons were going to keep prying and prying until they stripped away every possible piece of valuable data that Lightspeed had in his systems.

Now she wanted wanted codes. Command codes? To what? The Steelhaven? Garrus-9? As the Technobots' data processor, Lightspeed had a requisite degree of access to such things and was held in trust of such things by Fortress Maximus, but there was no moral equivocating that Lightspeed could do regarding this information.

What he had given the Decepticons thus far, he could argue in his own mind, would benefit the Decepticons little and theoretically spare the life of his team and the other Autobots here. Whatever type of command access codes this Decepticon interrogator, and ultimately Scorponok, wanted could not be rationalized in that same manner. Lives could be lost. Far more lives than what might be saved here.

Soul Siren, for her part, was filling her role beautifully. To some degree, Lightspeed could admit falling for her lures. The tortured, unwilling Decepticon acting on behalf of her crueler masters. The Technobots commanding officer, their ship's roster--all reasonable under the circumstances, if not explicitly permissible under the Autobot code of conduct. Command codes, however, were just a bridge too far and Lightspeed was done.

"Tell Commander Scorponok....that he can pry those codes out of my cold, rusted aft plating."___

It had taken a long time, far longer than Cyclonus would have liked, but the transmission from Soul Siren a short time ago confirmed the trust that he had placed in the femme to get the job that he had wanted done.

>>"Excellent, Soul Siren. Most excellent indeed."<<

Stoically, Cyclonus had followed the others in to the area containing the holding cells and ultimately the interrogation chamber where Soul Siren was doing her work nearby. The sense of satisfaction on his face was evident. If Soul Siren had cracked the little Technobot as she said, it would only be a matter of time before all the necessary information they needed to make their next move would come spilling out. This planet was already unquestionably under Decepticon control. Now they would be in prime positioning to acquire the weapon they had seen on ancient recordings and thus be in a prime position to eliminate all threats to the 2nd Expansion fleet. From there, it would only be a matter of time before they could rejoin the core Decepticon war machine and end this conflict once and for all.

As he watched the interrogation continue, Cyclonus could not help but let his gaze slip towards the other Autobot prisoners in the area. He had been here not all that long ago doing almost this very thing. In particular, his optics fell on Scattershot, and he walked towards the Technobots' primary holding cell once more, a sinister grin etched on his angular face.

"Noble intentions crashing against inevitable Decepticon superiority like waves on a mountainside," Cyclonus said, bringing his face right to the edge of the cell's energy field. "Did you truly expect for your petty resistance to end any other way?"

OOC: I talked to Sid about this post before I made it. He is ok with all the assorted ouchies.

Interrogation Chamber

Soul Siren's look of concern hardened into the stern look she had at the beginning of this process quickly. The gentle caress of her hands to the side of Lightspeed's head became harder.

"You made three great errors Autobot." She began to stay, her voice cool and malevolent.

"The first was an error of function. Sending me the file with the names was the most effective way of transmitting the information but in doing so you opened your data systems to me."

As she spoke she openly used the deepening access to Lightspeed's systems to gain control. Terror would begin to come to his face as the realization came that he was no longer in control of his own body.

"Your second was one of pride. You flaunted your defiance and, in doing so, you revealed that you really did have the access codes."

His body began to shudder as she cut off his access to his own data systems. Her optics narrowed and began to glow red.

"Your third, and most egregious of all, was an error of arrogance. You dared tell my Commander what he should do."

Now ready to extract what was needed, Soul Siren raised Lightspeed's pain sensors to the maximum level and slammed his head to the spikes behind it. Not enough to cause any real damage but with his pain sensors so sensitive it caused his to let out a loud scream. There was little Lightspeed could to do prevent this but she wanted to take no chances. The intense pain would serve as a distraction. As he screamed Soul Siren accessed his system and forcefully began to rip out his data and downloaded it into her storage systems. His body convulsed at the hostile violation of his systems causing Lightspeed to inadvertently did himself more into the spikes causing more pain.

After a few torturous moments Lightspeed stopped thrashing and Soul Siren disengaged from him and stepped back, now covered with a fresh amount of oils. She sighed and took a moment to collect herself feeling somewhat woozy after going through all that data.

"The Codes have been acquired Commander." She said to Scorponok in a weary tone. Externally she had flaunted that it was easy to obtain the information as part of Lightspeed's punishment for his arrogance. That was not reality however. Her own processing systems were overheated from all the hacking she had to do to access and then secure the data. The sense of triumph was all that kept her from collapsing.

Snaptrap led his team of seacons into the autobot prisoner cell block, escorting what remained of the motley crew of Autobots who had inauspiciously crashed into the sea. Which happened to be only one of them, the member that had initially surrendered to the seacons. Since he had spoken for the group, logic dictated that he was the highest ranked among them or at very least, the de facto leader.

The seacon commander had set his team loose on the other survivors, allowing them to satisfy their insatiable appetite for slaughter. Such weak opponents were not worthy of feeling the bite of his sword or the blast of his atom smasher gun. Meanwhile, Snaptrap had crippled the the prisoner with a careless, powerful sweep of his incandescent sword, hindering his ability to escape once the group of seacons surfaced. Seldom did emotion enter the seacon commander's spark, but nothing could irk him more than an Autobot escaping because of his team's disadvantage on land.

Opening a cell for the prisoner, Snaptrap unceremoniously dumped the autobot onto the floor of his new home and closed it. He turned to address his team.

"Seacons, you are dismissed. Recharge, but be ready for another assignment at a moment's notice."

Snaptrap has noted some electric emotion that was almost permeable in the air. Something had changed in Tenebrous's state had changed. The butcher determined to discover the status of Tenebrous, but first, he would assemble his report for Turmoil. Snaptrap opened a private communique to Turmoil, while letting his abysmal gaze pass over the prisoners within the cells.

>>"Commander Turmoil, this is Snaptrap, reporting. We discovered an Autobot escape pod on the ocean floor and tracked its occupants down. A small team of Autobots was located. We captured their leader, but the there were Autobot casualties in his capture. Unfortunate, but acceptable losses. The prisoner is currently in holding cell 7."<<

Patiently, the Seacon commander awaited a reply or aknowledgement, his optics still sweeping over the prisoners with a baleful stare.

Scorponok could do little more than observe with great interest as Soul Siren worked her trade. While the enormous Decepticon warlord was familiar with interrogation, his own methods were far less subtle. In fact, Scorponok's own approach was direct and brutal - there was nothing subtle with it. The subject would either talk or get crushed slowly. It was often efficient enough technique. Most mechs cracked under the pressure eventually when death became imminent. Soul Siren on the other hand had taken the art of interrogation to the next level. She was able to coax mechs that would otherwise be willing to die for their cause to spill out their secrets. It made her a valuable asset to the Decepticon cause despite of her meager physical presence in combat situations. And once again, she had proved to be worth of the trust placed on her shoulders.

"Excellent work Soul Siren." Scorponok commended the interrogator's work as she finally managed to pry the codes out of Lightspeed's head. "Lord Megatron would be proud of you."

"I understand the procedure left you weary but I am afraid I will need confirmation on the codes. The amount of resources the following operation will deploy doesn't leave room for an error." Scorponok stated and straightened up to his full height, "Soul Siren, take Scattershot to your chambers in Semper Tyrannis and prepare Shockwave's cortical psychic patch. Let us see if the commanding officer of these Autobot intruders has access deeper than his first lieutenant and whether he can survive invasion of his mind by Scourge."

The enormous black and gold Decepticon turned his gaze towards the hunter-killer whose name he had just spoken. "Scourge, Deadlock - have our prisoners transported to my ship and then join Soul Siren. These Autobots will make fine specimens. It would be tragic to just waste the opportunity they present."

Having said his piece, the gargantuan warlord began heading out of the Interrogation Chamber. "Cyclonus with me. Tell Reflector trio to move back to the Tyrannis. It is time we prepared our forces. Black Shadow, I need our best hackers. Get me Sparkstalker and Wingspan."

_____________________________

Tenebrous - Command Center

Turmoil had been left behind to start the re-deploying of the Decepticon forces by Scorponok as the High Commander had gone to visit the Interrogation Chamber. And Turmoil had wasted little time paying heed to his superior's orders. The mighty warships of the 2nd Fleet were being refueled and restocked with the resources the conquest of Nebulos had claimed for the cause. A seemingly endless line of Vehicons were being marched through Scorponok's portal into the Semper Tyrannis to be later deployed as invasion force. Truly, the coming orns seemed very promising for the Decepticon Empire.

>>"Commander Turmoil, this is Snaptrap, reporting. We discovered an Autobot escape pod on the ocean floor and tracked its occupants down. A small team of Autobots was located. We captured their leader, but the there were Autobot casualties in his capture. Unfortunate, but acceptable losses. The prisoner is currently in holding cell 7."<<

Snaptrap's transmission was just one among the many Turmoil was now processing through and thus, he paid little time to reply back to the Seacon Commander. >>"Acknowledged Snaptrap. Prepare your team for re-deployment. Destination: Semper Tyrannis."<<

Black Shadow watched with great intent as the very resourceful Soul Siren worked her magic with the Technobot data processor. It hadn’t taken the femme very long to break her subject down enough to actually get the information she had requested. His attention, however, was quickly drawn away from the spectacle in front of him and toward Scorponok who had requested that Scattershot be brought in and be subject to a cortical psychic patch…not very pleasant.

The mere thought of the Technobot Commander broken brought a cruel smirk to the Phase Sixer’s faceplate. He would be certain to be present for that show.

His attention was then drawn back to the hulking form of Scorponok when he was ordered to bring in Sparkstalker and Wingspan. Black Shadow gave a respectful bow lowering his optics to the floor before rising back up and addressing the black and gold Decepticon.

“As you command, my Lord."

Black Shadow wasted no time in stepping to the nearest access terminal and locating both requested subjects. It seemed that Sparkstalker was still located in the plains of Thok and Wingspan was processing the Korajan info-banks for whatever was still useful.

>>"Sparkstalker…Wingspan. This is Black Shadow. At the request of Lord Scorponok you are both to drop what you are doing and report to the Fortress in Tenebrous. Your intelligence gathering prowess will be put to work on one of our resident Autobot captives. You are to report directly to the command center upon arrival."<<

“So." He hadn’t noticed his comrade had slipped away from the others and sidled his way over to Black Shadow. “What is it, Blue?" The Infiltration Commander cast a side long glance at Blue Bacchus before a response was offered. “Oh, just wondering whether or not we’ll get another go at one…or even a few…of the prisoners. Things are becoming a bit…hmmm…well, a bit stagnate. Not sure about you, but I’m slightly bored."

Black Shadow let out a low snort before taking a quick glance over his shoulder at the lulled frame of Lightspeed. It certainly would be nice to tear into him if only for the sheer fun of it, but all of the prisoners had other uses.

“Well, my friend, we will have to wait and see if we’ll be thrown the proverbial bone. In the meantime…try to use your imagination." With a wide smirk Black Shadow patted the side of Blue Bacchus’ cheek and moved back to the others.

Even underneath all the oil stains and the exhausted she beamed at Scorponok's words. She was pleased that Scorponok was pleased with her work and that Lord Megatron would also be pleased filled her with intense pride. Part of Soul Siren was crushed to hear Scorponok's order. She was exhausted and all she wanted in the world was to shut down for a while in a nice oil bath. This was something she would never show however, not to Scorponok. Not when the importance of what she was doing was so clear.

"Of course Sir. I will see to both matters immediately." She saluted and turned towards the Seekers in the room and pointed towards Scattershot.

"Secure the prisoner and bring him along."

As she waited for the Seekers to do their work she began the work of of preparing the data to be transferred. She could feel her internal processors strain under the continuing work but she ignored them. She would not complain about how tired she was. If she had to work herself into statis for Scorponok and Lord Megatron's cause she would do it.

When Reflector noticed the latest incoming transmission signal, he was loathe to respond to it. He actually paused to consider feigning some sort of technical difficulty to avoid the conversation entirely, but he knew that it would be highly inadvisable to do so. The Viewfinder component patched it through and shortly thereafter the face of Cyclonus materialized on the screens in front of the surveillance trio.

>>"I suspect it's a waste to ask, but have you made any progress in regards to hunting down that hidden Autobot vessel?"<<

The one that had gone silent seemingly an age ago now. Whoever was on it, in spite of everything that had gone on, seemed to have the patience of a Prime for they had made no action after Reflector had systematically destroyed every orbital satellite the rogue Autobots could have used to bounce additional forces on or off the planet. That ship, which had been used for that very same purpose in the earliest stages of the Autobots' guerilla tactics on this planet, had been a source of continual frustration for the Decepticon surveillance specialist. He hated knowing that it was still out there, somewhere, but he had no recourse by which to exercise that frustration.

>>"Expected...I suppose,"<< Cyclonus said, looking off in another direction momentarily. There appeared to be a considerable amount of activity occurring in whatever room of the fortress he currently occupied. >>"It is fortunate, then, that it will no longer be your primary concern. High Commander Scorponok requests your service aboard the Tyrannis. I...will look forward to your arrival."<<

It was then that Cyclonus' eerie visage betrayed a hint of emotion. Sadistic satisfaction, in Reflector's view, at the prospect of finally being within arm's reach of the Reflector components. While Reflector was exceedingly pleased that he would once again be returning to the flagship of the 2nd Expansion Fleet, the manner of his return was not as ideal as it had been the last time he had served aboard that massive warship. He could only hope that mighty Scorponok had more use for him than this icy lieutenant seemed to.

Saying nothing more, Reflector began transferring bridge operations over to the other members of the ship's crew before, one by one, each component proceeded to exit the bridge. Their next destination: the Semper Tyrannis.

Deadlock's optics dimmed briefly as neutrino filters were lowered to blot out the amazing brilliance of the Bounce Effect and the power necessary to transport a large mass such as their fleet commander. As it faded, he readjusted his posture to one of salute and respect. Unlike Turmoil and his conservative mannerisms towards the Autobot prisoners, Scorponok was one along the lines of Megatron. Do what it takes to win this war as swiftly as possible so the reconstruction could begin. Though inwardly, Deadlock was disgusted by the idea of War for War's Sake, he knew it was a necessary byproduct of eons of battle.

He snapped to full attention when his name was addressed and he gave a brief nod in acceptance. "As you wish my lord Scorponok." He pivoted on his heel once the salute was concluded and looked back at the Tracker. "Let us be done with this task so we can get back to what must be accomplished. If they resist, break a limb or two, that will stop their griping."

Deadlock did not wait for dismissal from his commanding officers, perhaps it was a trait that he had developed to annoy Turmoil. But it was decidedly one Megatron had nurtured during their illustrious careers. With the silent hydraulic hiss of the doors, Deadlock disappeared from the Operations Command Center, and headed down towards lifts leading to the holding cells. Along the way he pointed to two nondescript Vehicons to add to the security detail that already was in tow.

Holding Cells

Scattershot watched as the interrogator brought in the worse for wear Lightspeed and deposited him unceremoniously into the holding cell. The Technobot Commander carefully broke his sentinelesque stance and made his way to the side of his second in command and friend. Kneeling down he placed his finger tips onto the fresh carbon score marks along the burnt orange and red chasis. He did not offer an apology for what his subordinate had to endure, no there was no need. All of them, including that arrogant windbag Afterburner knew how Scattershot would have sacrificed himself to take anyone of their places.

His optics dimmed as he pressed his fingers down he attempted to rouse his damaged friend. "Lightspeed, Lightspeed," his cautiously low voice, barely audible to anyone beyond those two. "What did you learn, what are they after?"

His attention was grabbed by the shrill harpy of an interrogator as she appeared again and demanded the forcefield be lowered and guards to swarm the chamber. Scattershot did not move from his crouch, even though she demanded his retrieval. "Go blow it out your gasket Deceptiscrap. Can't you see I'm busy."

Ah, so Scorponok had returned. Little wonder a sort of tension permeated the air. The Seacons' redeployment to the Semper Tyrannis did cause the butcher of the bogs to wonder. What sort of plan did Scorponok have now? Something akin to curiosity briefly flickered through the emotionless Seacon commander before being crushed by the butcher's usual cold logic. No point in wondering. The Seacons needed to be redeployed. Snaptrap opened a communique with the rest of his team.

>>"Change of plans. We are being redeployed to theSemper Tyrannis. Make your way there after you have recharged and gathered whatever possessions you require."<< With his orders sent, Snaptrap shut off the link and exited the cell block.

Corridors

The butcher of the bogs was making his way through the corridors of Tenebrous when he stumbled across Snapdragon looking particularly irritable, grumbling to himself. Snaptrap regarded the Horrorcon for a moment. In the end, the Seacon commander simply moved on. He was neither one for conversation nor companionship.

Motto:"I can totally prove that I'm not a zombie! Just lean over hear, and let me take a little nibble out of your brains."

Weapon: Double Barrelled Shell Launcher

Plains of Thok- The Consortium Research Center

Where are you Banzai-Tron?, Sparkstalker thought as he monitored communications, You said you'd contact us several cycles ago! What did you do, overload your storage compartments with loose shanix?

The cryptologist was starting to get nervous. Despite the Intelligence Director's assurances that the military would be kept away from Nebulos for a long time, everything had gone to slag. It was only a matter of time until someone looked into the facility, whether it was Scorponok or, the firecon shuddered, Turmoil. So much of the Tyrest Accord had been broken here, and Sparkstalker had no intention of facing the consequences.

So here Sparkstalker was, scouring through planet wide communications, meticulously combing through each transmission for any sign of his superior in the Intelligence Division, but with no sign of him whatsoever. Sparkstalker tapped his finger on the communications console, as it seemed he would have to bring the whole operation to it's inevitable end.

I don't want to lose all this. Too much time, too much planning went into this entire facility., Sparkstalker's reached his hand to the underside of the console, where he felt around for a hidden panel, But I haven't stayed alive as long as I have by being sentimental about anything.

As the cryptologist contemplated how much longer he could wait before destroying evidence of their work and covering his tracks, he recieved the transmission from Black Shadow. He was to stop whatever he was doing and report to Tenebrous, under orders from Scorponok himself. Apparently his skills were needed in processing data that had been gathered from an Autobot prisoner.

Sparkstalker didn't entirely like the sounds of it. He hated having to leave the research center, not when there was so much uncertainty with their intelligence director. To make matters worse was the fact that he would be reporting directly to those who would hang him by his own fuel lines if their illegal activities were found out. However, not reporting would raise even more suspicion toward what the Intelligence Division had been doing, so there was really no choice at all. The firecon sent a reply to the transmission.

>>Acknowledged, Black Shadow. I will be there within two kliks.<<

Sparkstalker looked around- none of the other Intelligence officers were nearby, so he quickly opened the hidden panel under the console, and retrieved a small remote control, then opened a small storage compartment near his chest and placed it inside. If anything happened while he was gone, or if this all turned out to be some kind of trap being set up for him, he would need it. He always had a contingency plan, it was how he managed to be one of the most successful criminals in Cybertronian history.

Not that Cybertronian history has any record of my exploits., Sparkstalker smuggly smirked to himself as he stepped away from the communications console.

"Datacrunch, I'm being called away, orders from Scorponok.", he addressed a nearby silver technician, "You're in charge until either I get back or Banzai-Tron finally shows up."

The silver technician rose from his computer terminal and followed closely behind Sparkstalker.

"Orders from Scorponok? They haven't found out what we're doing down here, have they?", the technician asked nervously.

"I don't know, but I doubt it.", Sparkstalker replied as he entered the research center's bounce chamber, "But in any case do not send me any encrypted or scrambled transmissions while I'm there, it would only raise their suspicions that we have something to hide down here. Only contact me through standard Decepticon channels, use code words when necessary with sensitive information."

"Understood, Sparkstalker.", the silver technician nodded as he went to the bounce chamber controls, "Is there anything else?"

"Yes. Don't try hacking into any of my personal files."

"What?", the technician raised his optics, acting in surprise, "What are you talking about? I would never-"

"Do you remember Codebreaker?" Sparkstalker asked.

"That Autobot spy who'd infiltrated us? He was executed nearly a vorn ago.", Datacrunch hesitantly answered, not sure he liked where this was going.

"He tried to access my personal files.", the firecon said with a smile, not mentioning the fact that Codebreaker had never actually been an Autobot spy. Of course, he'd never admit to creating all those false transmissions to Autobot Intelligence that just happened to originate from Codebreaker's workstation.

Datacrunch scowled as he entered in the coordinates, and after a nod between the two Sparkstalker found himself enveloped in a beam of light.

Tenebrous

The light faded from Sparkstalker's optics, and he found himself in the larger bounce chamber of the Decepticon fortress of Tenebrous. A large mech stood at the controls, looking down on the firecon with intimidation.

"You're expected in the command center immediately.", the mech ordered, "Hurry up or I'll drag you there, you little scraplet!"

"Of course.", the cryptologist replied with a hint of scorn as he walked past him.

This is why I needed that transfer to Intelligence., Sparkstalker thought as he hurried down the corridors, A mechanoid as brilliant as myself shouldn't be looked down on like that. I should get that mech's name and access codes, and make it look like he tried to look into Scorponok's secure files. A simple enough task, and it would teach him a lesson- if he survives the warlord's wrath.

After several astroseconds of walking, Sparkstalker had made his way to the command center. Expecting to find Scorponok or some of his lieutenants, Sparkstalker was startled to find only Turmoil standing there.

Not good..... Not a good sign..., Sparkstalker thought as he walked up to the hulking mech in front of him. The cryptologist took note of the remote control in his personal storage compartment- enter in one command and all information of the illegal activities he'd been involved in would be erased, and the firecon would appear to be nothing more than a low-level technician who had only been following orders. Turmoil's mere presence made this option seem more enticing.

"Sparkstalker reporting, sir.", the cryptologist stood at attention as respectfully as he could, saluting Turmoil, "I've been ordered here by Lord Scorponok."

From his position on the floor Brainstorm perked up slightly when Pointblank gave his thoughts on what the engineer had said. At least someone was willing to acknowledge him in some way. With a light grunt Brainstorm rose from floor and took a moment to stretch the pistons in his legs and the pulleys in his neck as he took a careful look around the cell and its occupants.

After a moment of quiet observation his optics settled on the space past the cell’s bars and the Horrorcon that was poised just outside. Brainstorm let loose a low gasp and took a quick step back to put some extra distance between him and Apeface. The last thing he wanted was the simian to turn his attention on him. To his relief Apeface seemed to be more focused on Pyro than anyone else in the cell…good better him than me.

Brainstorm took a quick peek in Pointblank’s direction. “Screwed is an understatement." At the sound of the large ‘Con’s voice the engineer shot his attention to the outside of the cell. Apeface was taking the advantage of the Autobots’ inability to retaliate to a whole new level. He left suddenly but returned with something hoisted on his shoulder. Unwilling to bear any witness to what the Horrorcon had planned; Brainstorm began back peddling to where Pointblank was at and very carefully took up a nice cozy position directly behind the enforcer…just in case.

As it turned out, his move was a very good idea as the barrel Apeface had hauled was tossed into the cell and then promptly detonated. Brainstorm let out a high pitch screech threw his hands over his head and dropped down to the floor. “PRIMUS SPARE MY SPARK! I'm too smart to die!" As the contents splattered over just about everything in the cell the scientist felt droplets of the foul substance spray lightly over his frame. Immediately he could detect the smell that wafted throughout the area…namely on the mechs who were now soaked in the goo. “Oh frag! You sick festering gearstick!"

"No doubt." Turmoil spoke up as he turned away from the console he was using to verify the identity of the mechanoid whom had just addressed him instead of moving straight through the portal like the majority of Decepticons marching through the Command Center into Scorponok's battleship. Sparkstalker, a low-ranking technician, better known as one of three members of the project Firecon and a proven disappointment as a warrior. The personality assessment file mentioned investigation of rumors about suspicious connections to criminal elements within and outside the Decepticon Empire but all the investigations had led to a dead end. These open questions aside, at least the small Decepticon seemed to be gifted enough hacker to warrant Scorponok's attention.

"Name: Sparkstalker, subgroup: Firecon, function: Cryptologist. Yes, you are being expected." The large charcoal warlord spoke up and nodded towards the whirling vortex through the very fabric of space in the far end of the Command Center. "Pass through the portal. You will arrive to the hangar of the Semper Tyrannis. You are to report to the bridge, directly to the High Commander. Caution is advised, we are in the middle of mobilizing for a large military operation - you do not want to be run over by a battalion of Vehicons."

That was all Turmoil was going to say to the Firecon. The only reason he had shared this much of his time with Sparkstalker in the first place was the fact that Scorponok himself had demanded the Firecon's services. And none of the high ranking Decepticon warlords were known to show patience when it came to carrying out their orders in timely fashion. Besides, Turmoil had plenty of work ahead of him. Scorponok had left him enough work to stay busy for several cycles and he was not going to waste his time and thus, Turmoil opened his comm-link to relay one of the many re-deployments Scorponok had ordered for.

>>"Horrorcons. Snaptrap. Report to the bridge of the Semper Tyrannis. Transportation through a space bridge portal in the Command Center."<<

"You fraggin', glitched up knob!" Rad yelled, doing the best he could to wipe away some of the excess...gunk...whatever the slag it was, away from his face. Wiping liquid away from metal wasn't accomplished with the same sort of ease for a mechanoid as it was for a humanoid.

Pointblank, for his part, had not reacted to the sudden detonation of disgustingness in the same manner that both Brainstorm and Rad had done. He was content to let the Horrorcons revel in their victory. He had no recourse to do otherwise. What was still in his favor was the fact that he was still functional. So long as that remained true, there also remained the possibility that the Decepticons would make a mistake big enough for him to capitalize on it. He just had to wait for the right opportunity, like all of them did.

"Easy," he said, resting a hand on Rad's shoulder mechanism as he looked over at Brainstorm. "Let's try to stay alive. Our only real chance to do that for a while will be to stay as far below the radar as we can manage. Be good little prisoners."

Rad shrugged Pointbank's hand away and walked over to another corner of the cell.

"Yeah, yeah. Easy to say. Hard to do," Rad grunted, both disapproving of the suggestion and somewhat resigning himself to carry it out all the same. It was bitter oil to swallow.

"Time to move, cuties," a pair of Seekers said as they approached the cells, several more Seekers and other Vehicons moving in to position, all with their weapons raised and ready to fire at the slightest provocation. "Don't try to be heroes. None of you are Primes. Just one less prisoner to transport. Or two. Or a dozen. Whatever works. We will shoot to kill."___

Lightspeed's body rattled with slight convulsions like he had just come off the assembly line or out of the initiator. Scattershot's words helped to pull him somewhat out of the hellish nightmare that was playing itself over and over in his processor like it had been recorded and put on some kind of loop. His optics blinked on and off several times before shifting their focus to the Technobot Commander.

"She.......she wanted to know a-about who sent us. H-How many....were on the Farstar. I told her. Didn't think.....important....... but also wanted access codes for Garrus. Told her to shove it. M-Must...must be planning direct assault."

Cyclonus had prodded the stubborn Technobot Commander enough. Once Scorponok had made his next set of orders clear, Cyclonus wasted no time in executing, having already prodded Reflector in to his eventual place, he then turned and followed Scorponok through the winding corridors before approaching gateway that would facilitate the bounce up to the command ship.

It was not lost on him that Scorponok had selected him to stand at his right hand while Turmoil was left here to oversee a planet of pacifistic fleshlings. Why Scorponok had chosen to allow Turmoil to assume any form of command in his absence was still a mystery to the purple warrior, but it was an irrelevancy now. Cyclonus would be where he belonged. So too would Turmoil, if his observations on this planet were any indication.

"It appears our differences will resolve themselves another time," Cyclonus said, his optics flickering dangerous as a satisfied sneer etched his face. "I am sure your efforts as a steward of our labors will be commended. In time."

For in Cyclonus' view, that's all Turmoil ever had been. A steward put in place to oversee the work that he, Scorponok and numerous others had already well established. That would be his role again, while Cyclonus would continue on with the forging of new Decepticon victories.

"Until then," the purple warrior said at last, before stepping through the gateway and heading to the bridge of the Semper Tyrannis.___

((OOC-Fill-in post, while darksabrz appears to be absent.))

Holding Cells

As the other powerful Decepticons departed under the auspices of Scorponok's latest series of commands, Scourge took to his own appointed task with no small amount of satisfaction.

Sweeps, Seekers and Vehicon guards had all moved in to place under his command and had begun facilitating the transfer of the Autobot prisoners to Scorponok's command ship. It was unfortunate that they were to be kept alive at all, but Scourge did not voice his disagreement with the current strategy in that respect. Scorponok had a larger vision than the Tracker cared to analyze. His service in the 2nd Expansion Fleet had brought with it conquest and the opportunity to fulfill his innate function. That was really all that mattered.

"This won't be the end," some random prisoner said as he walked past the Sweep Commander--bound and being prodded forward by another Sweep. Rad, according to the prisoner logs.

"The lies these Autobots tell themselves, eh Scourge?" another Sweep remarked, coming just behind his superior.

"See that these prisoners are all secured aboard the Tyrannis within the breem," Scourge said, ignoring the comment, before walking off in the direction of the command center himself. Now was not a time to gloat. It was time to press forward and come that much closer to their endgame.

Pyro wiped away the festering gunk from his shielded face plate. Automated defenses were sometimes a blessed thing, unfortunately they were also limited covering the vital sensors of his face, optics and mouthguard. His fingers collected the slop with relative ease, much to his dismay the relative was the operative word. He allowed his sensors to readjust to the imput of the various fumes and odors that now rippled through the confined space. Each one that was registered Pyro began a systematic algorythm to begin filtering them out.

With a flick of his wrist, Pyro threw the concotion he had gathered into the erected force field screen. The sound if it sizzling against the electric current was at least satisfactory to his receptors. Drops of sand and other grit fell to the base of the forcefield before disappearing in a small flash of electrical discharge.

"Impressive," Pryo stood defiantly and did not react as his compatriots had. Though he wished to express his disgust with the treatment of prisoners of war, he knew Optimus would not give a bully the satisfaction of seeing him be swayed in such a manner. At least respond in an emotional outburst. Converse in civil and broad tones, "I must say that it is impressive to see such an intellect reduced to protoformish pranks. If you antisipated that I would be legitimately intimidated by your little stunt, I recommend you go back and check your programming manuals." With that Pyro allowed his optical sensors to begin floating through the grime.

They picked out several small pieces of metallic fragments from the canister that Apeface had used for his stink bomb. It wasn't very hard to find them, the blast radius was small and the center base ring was still intact. "I do have to admit though, I am sure if you spent a few days, you could have come up with something a bit more humiliating, or at least cleaver." An idea for the fragments was beginning to formulate in his processor, and now all he needed was time to put it all together. Fragments and lubricants and other residues. Combined they could potentially be used to short out the forcefield barrier. The problems were the logistics and to what purpose, beyond the whole whether or not it would be successful. Figuring that out would be Brainstorm's task, once they were left in relative peace.

Snaptrap wasted no time in making his way to the Command Center once Turmoil had issued the command. The seacon commander entered the command center, taking in the vast amount of vehicons and sweeps escorting prisoners into the space bridge portal. It seemed as though they were finally beginning to mobilize en masse. All the better. They had been stationed on this planet for far too long.

As Snaptrap passed, he nodded in acknowledgement to Turmoil, who was likely far to busy to notice. Regardless, the seacon commander continued on toward the space bridge portal. As the vehicons began to notice him, they edged slightly to the side to avoid the Seacon Commander's baleful stare.

Casting one glance back to look at the Tenebrous command center, Snaptrap stepped through the portal to the Semper Tyrannis and made his way to the bridge where he was to report.